A rare piece of Japanese whisky history has found a place on the drinks list at Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, where a single dram now carries a price tag of £2,300.
The Asian-inspired eatery, created by Gordon Ramsay, opened last year in London’s 22 Bishopsgate as a high-rise dining destination blending fine cuisine with an ambitious bar programme. Among its most notable offerings is Shirakawa 1958, a single malt from the long-demolished Shirakawa Distillery in Fukushima Prefecture, around 200km north of Tokyo.
Built in 1939, the distillery was among Japan’s early adopters of malt whisky production, operating between 1951 and 1969 before ultimately closing in 2003. For decades, much of its output went into blends produced by its owner, Takara Shuzo.
What makes this expression remarkable is both its provenance and its survival…
From forgotten casks to fine dining
What makes this expression remarkable is both its provenance and its survival. The spirit was distilled in 1958, matured in cask, and later transferred into ceramic jars before being moved into stainless steel tanks at a Takara Shuzo facility in Kyushu following the distillery’s closure.
There it remained, largely forgotten, until 2019, when Tomatin Distillery managing director Stephen Bremner traced its existence through company archives and inventory.
While precise details of its ageing regime remain unclear, the whisky dates from a period when Japanese distillers commonly used domestic barley and matured spirit in Mizunara oak casks, known for imparting distinctive aromatic qualities.
Bottled at 49% ABV by Takara Shuzo, Shirakawa 1958 is understood to be the earliest single vintage Japanese whisky ever released, and the only official single malt from the distillery.
Shirakawa 1958 whisky tasting notes
Supplied tasting notes point to a complex and evolving character. On the nose, the whisky offers resinous notes, dry earth and dried citrus peel, with a waxy undertone; a splash of water reveals added vibrancy and a hint of exotic incense.
The palate is described as expansive and succulent, with fragrant grass and emerging fruit, layered with spice and dryness. Water introduces a suggestion of ash from an incense burner, alongside a lively acidity. The finish is long and balanced, with persistent mint and camphor-like notes.
Just 1,500 bottles of Shirakawa 1958 were released globally in 2022, with a recommended retail price of £25,000 per bottle.
At Lucky Cat, it’s available by the dram at £2,300, offering diners a rare opportunity to experience a fragment of Japan’s early whisky-making history.
Maker’s Mark has launched a new airport‑exclusive Artist Series, pairing its handmade Kentucky bourbon with limited‑edition labels inspired by major global cities. The collection forms part of a wider programme of travel‑retail exclusives from the distillery. Each release is defined not by a unique liquid or cask profile, but by its artwork. The whisky inside…
Chocolate has long been one of whisky’s favourite tasting notes. The Lakes Distillery has now made it the inspiration for an entire single malt. Its limited-edition Chocolatier expression has arrived in the UK following international recognition at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026, where it became the only English whisky to receive a Gold…
Luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason has teamed up with Disney to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh. The collaboration spans exclusive honey, hampers, homeware and a themed Afternoon Tea, bringing a little of the Hundred Acre Wood to Piccadilly. At the heart of the collection is what Fortnum’s describes as the world’s first…
The Luxe Review 
A rare piece of Japanese whisky history has found a place on the drinks list at Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, where a single dram now carries a price tag of £2,300.
The Asian-inspired eatery, created by Gordon Ramsay, opened last year in London’s 22 Bishopsgate as a high-rise dining destination blending fine cuisine with an ambitious bar programme. Among its most notable offerings is Shirakawa 1958, a single malt from the long-demolished Shirakawa Distillery in Fukushima Prefecture, around 200km north of Tokyo.
Built in 1939, the distillery was among Japan’s early adopters of malt whisky production, operating between 1951 and 1969 before ultimately closing in 2003. For decades, much of its output went into blends produced by its owner, Takara Shuzo.
From forgotten casks to fine dining
What makes this expression remarkable is both its provenance and its survival. The spirit was distilled in 1958, matured in cask, and later transferred into ceramic jars before being moved into stainless steel tanks at a Takara Shuzo facility in Kyushu following the distillery’s closure.
There it remained, largely forgotten, until 2019, when Tomatin Distillery managing director Stephen Bremner traced its existence through company archives and inventory.
While precise details of its ageing regime remain unclear, the whisky dates from a period when Japanese distillers commonly used domestic barley and matured spirit in Mizunara oak casks, known for imparting distinctive aromatic qualities.
Bottled at 49% ABV by Takara Shuzo, Shirakawa 1958 is understood to be the earliest single vintage Japanese whisky ever released, and the only official single malt from the distillery.
Shirakawa 1958 whisky tasting notes
Supplied tasting notes point to a complex and evolving character. On the nose, the whisky offers resinous notes, dry earth and dried citrus peel, with a waxy undertone; a splash of water reveals added vibrancy and a hint of exotic incense.
The palate is described as expansive and succulent, with fragrant grass and emerging fruit, layered with spice and dryness. Water introduces a suggestion of ash from an incense burner, alongside a lively acidity. The finish is long and balanced, with persistent mint and camphor-like notes.
Just 1,500 bottles of Shirakawa 1958 were released globally in 2022, with a recommended retail price of £25,000 per bottle.
At Lucky Cat, it’s available by the dram at £2,300, offering diners a rare opportunity to experience a fragment of Japan’s early whisky-making history.
Maker’s Mark bourbon unveils airport‑exclusive Artist Series with city‑inspired bottlings
Maker’s Mark has launched a new airport‑exclusive Artist Series, pairing its handmade Kentucky bourbon with limited‑edition labels inspired by major global cities. The collection forms part of a wider programme of travel‑retail exclusives from the distillery. Each release is defined not by a unique liquid or cask profile, but by its artwork. The whisky inside…
The Lakes Distillery brings award-winning Chocolatier single malt whisky to the UK
Chocolate has long been one of whisky’s favourite tasting notes. The Lakes Distillery has now made it the inspiration for an entire single malt. Its limited-edition Chocolatier expression has arrived in the UK following international recognition at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026, where it became the only English whisky to receive a Gold…
Exclusive Fortnum & Mason Winnie the Pooh Hunny collection is too sweet to resist
Luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason has teamed up with Disney to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh. The collaboration spans exclusive honey, hampers, homeware and a themed Afternoon Tea, bringing a little of the Hundred Acre Wood to Piccadilly. At the heart of the collection is what Fortnum’s describes as the world’s first…
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